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Helping Victims of Crime in Clearwater, St. Petersburg & Throughout Florida
A U Visa is a special nonimmigrant visa available to individuals who have been victims of certain crimes and have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. If you are the victim of a qualifying criminal activity and you are willing to help the authorities, you may be eligible to apply for a U Visa.
At Brown Immigration Law, our Tampa U Visa attorney is compassionate and committed to helping crime victims in Florida. We understand the unique challenges you are facing, and we are prepared to guide you through the application process. Our team offers personalized legal services and will work tirelessly to help you achieve your immigration goals.
For an initial consultation with our U Visa attorney in Tampa, call (813) 791-7535 or online.
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Eligibility for U Visa
There are several requirements that must be met to be eligible for a U Visa.
- The crime must have occurred in the United States or violated U.S. laws.
- You must be the victim of a qualifying criminal activity.
- You must have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse as a result of the criminal activity.
- You must have information about the criminal activity.
- You must be helpful to law enforcement, government officials, or other agencies in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.
- You are admissible to the United States, or seek a waiver of inadmissibility.
There is no requirement that the crime occurs within a certain time period. You may be eligible for a U Visa even if the crime occurred many years ago. Additionally, you may be eligible for a U visa even if you are the parent of a qualifying crime victim and you are the parent of a child who was abused as a result of the criminal activity.
Applying for a U Visa in Tampa
Our office provides full legal assistance for U visa cases from start to finish. One of the first steps is getting a “certification” – a document that confirms:
- A qualifying crime occurred, and
- You were helpful to law enforcement or the court during the investigation or prosecution.
This certification must be completed by a qualified official. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, officials from the following agencies can sign the certification form (Form I-918, Supplement B):
- Federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies
- Federal, state, or local prosecutors’ offices
- Federal, state, or local judges
- Child or family protective services
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Federal or state departments of labor
- Other authorized investigative agencies
Our legal team in Tampa will assist you with every part of the process, including contacting law enforcement or court officials to request the required certification. Once we receive the signed form, we’ll help you prepare and file the full U visa application. We’ll also guide you in writing your personal statement and make sure all required paperwork is submitted correctly and on time.
Qualifying Criminal Activities
U Visas are available to victims of certain crimes. These crimes include:
- Abduction
- Abusive Sexual Contact
- Blackmail
- Domestic Violence
- Extortion
- False Imprisonment
- Felonious Assault
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Hostage
- Incest
- Involuntary Servitude
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Obstruction of Justice
- Peonage
- Perjury
- Prostitution
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Exploitation
- Servitude
- Slave Trade
- Stalking
- Torture
- Trafficking
- Witness Tampering
- Unlawful Criminal Restraint
Additionally, you may be eligible for a U Visa if you are the parent of a child who was a victim of any of the above crimes.
Benefits of a U Visa
There are several benefits to obtaining a U Visa. First and foremost, it allows you to live and work in the United States. U Visas are valid for four years, and you may be able to extend your U Visa if you have a valid reason for doing so.
Additionally, U Visa holders are eligible for a work permit. This is important because it allows you to support yourself and your family while you are living in the United States. You may also be eligible for public benefits, such as food stamps or housing assistance.
After three years of holding a U Visa, you may be eligible to apply for a green card. However, this is a complex process, so it is important to have an experienced U Visa lawyer on your side.
2025 Changes Affecting U Visa Holders
U visa holders must be able to prove their status immediately, or they could risk detention or removal. To reduce this risk, U visa holders should:
- Keep ID on them at all times, and
- Keep a copy of their case receipt if their visa is still pending, or a copy of their work authorization, Bona Fide Determination (BFD) or proof of status if the U visa has already been granted.
If you are a U visa holder or if your U visa is pending, and you are detained by an ICE agent, call us. We can help protect your rights.
Do You Have a U Visa Lawyer Near Me?
Brown Immigration Law has an office in Tampa located at 400 N. Ashley, Suite #1900. We are right at the start of Tampa Riverwalk off W. Kennedy Blvd. Our office is accessible by us, and there is a parking garage on the side of the building. We maintain additional offices in Orlando, Durham, NC, Columbus, OH, and Cleveland, OH.
Why Choose Us?
If you are the victim of a crime and you have been helpful to law enforcement, you may be eligible for a U Visa. U Visas are available to individuals who have suffered substantial abuse as a result of a qualifying criminal activity and have been helpful to the authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. However, the U Visa application process is complex, and it is important to have an experienced U Visa attorney on your side.
At Brown Immigration Law, we can help you gather the necessary documentation, complete the application, and meet all deadlines. Our Tampa immigration lawyers are committed to helping you achieve your immigration goals, and we will fight for you every step of the way.
Complete our online contact form or call (813) 791-7535 to speak with our U Visa attorney in Tampa.
